House rejects Dem attempt to protect environmental review of water projects

DeFazio proposed an amendment that would have delayed the streamlining of environmental rules until the backlog of water is reduced to $20 billion or less.

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"There's no evidence that the public participation environmental review process has caused delay," said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). "The problem is not NEPA. The problem is that this Congress has failed to appropriate enough money to keep up with the projects we authorize."

Republicans took the view that environmental rules should still be streamlined in order to help projects get off the ground more quickly.

"The amendment seeks to undermine all environmental streamlining provisions in WRRDA," said Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.). "Regardless of the existence of backlogs, streamlining environment reviews is an essential reform and I believe it will help to reduce backlogs."

These amendments were among two dozen that were considered Wednesday afternoon. Others disposed of today were from:

— Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), managers amendment providing for the expediting of any ongoing feasibility study for prior authorized projects, and making other substantive and technical changes. Passed in voice vote.